Youth Counselor – Youth Transition Focus (STRTP Cottage)

Empower Independence. Inspire Growth. Shape Brighter Futures.

Join Aspiranet’s Residential Division at our brand-new ILP-designated STRTP cottage in Turlock, CA located near our new Vocational Center and Fusion Charter School. This innovative home supports male youth ages 16–18 as they develop independence and life skills, while continuing to receive therapeutic care and behavioral support within a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) setting.

📍 Location: On-Site – Turlock, CA
💼 Department: Residential Division – STRTP Cottage
📈 Reports to: Program Supervisor
💰 Pay Range: $21.00 - $23.00/hr
📅 Employment Type: Non-Exempt/Part - Time

📅 Shift Options:

1. Part-Time Shift – Saturday–Sunday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Note: Staff will primarily work out of the ILP cottage, but may occasionally support other STRTP cottages as needed.

🌱 About the Hope Forward Campus

Aspiranet’s Independent Living Program (ILP) cottage is a newly developed residential environment focused on helping older STRTP youth (ages 16–18) prepare for successful transitions to adulthood. While the program emphasizes independence and life skills, it remains fully STRTP in scope and function serving youth who may continue to exhibit complex behaviors and therapeutic needs similar to those in our other residential programs.

Situated near Aspiranet’s Vocational Center and Fusion Charter School, the ILP cottage is part of a growing ecosystem of support for youth seeking stability, education, and empowerment.

📝️ Position Summary

The Youth Counselor – Youth Transition Focus provides structure, care, and mentorship to male youth ages 16–18 living in a therapeutic ILP-designated STRTP setting. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about helping youth grow in independence while maintaining emotional safety and stability in a structured, trauma-informed environment.

You will work as part of Aspiranet’s Therapeutic Community of Care, collaborating with behavioral health and case management professionals to implement individualized treatment and transition plans that balance responsibility, healing, and personal growth.

🔍 Key Responsibilities

• Provide consistent, caring supervision and support to up to four youth in a residential ILP environment.
• Facilitate daily routines and promote independence through skill-building activities (e.g., cooking, transportation, goal setting).
• Lead therapeutic and recreational activities that prepare youth for adulthood.
• Model and reinforce appropriate decision-making, boundaries, and accountability.
• Maintain a safe, structured, and inclusive environment.
• Collaborate with clinical and case management teams to implement individualized treatment and transition plans.
• Support the compliant distribution of self-administered medications.
• Complete documentation and contact notes in accordance with agency and licensing standards.
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision, and required trainings.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation as needed.
• Ensure compliance with Community Care Licensing and agency policies.
• Collaborate in a brand-new facility purpose-built for healing and innovation.
• Learn and apply Aspiranet’s core practice models, including:
  • Attachment, Regulation & Competency (ARC)
  • Youth Thrive / Strengthening Families
  • Community Resiliency Model (CRM)
  • Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI)
  • Professional Assault Crisis Training (ProAct)
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Ensure compliance with Community Care Licensing, The Joint Commission, and CA Department of Health Care Services

✅ Qualifications

Candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree in any field (Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or a related field preferred), OR
• Valid Child Development Teaching Permit, OR
• Completed 12 semester units in early childhood education, psychology, adolescent development, criminal justice, or foster/kinship care education, OR
• Valid certificate as an alcohol and/or drug counselor, OR
• Previous employment as a staff or volunteer at a group home or STRTP for at least 1 year, OR
• Relevant life experience in child welfare, mental health, juvenile justice, or as a mentor/caregiver for youth who have experienced trauma.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Meet all state conditions for employment in a licensed community care facility, including fingerprint and child abuse index clearance, health/TB screening, and a valid CA driver’s license with a clean record.

💚 Your Rewards

• Growth potential
• 14 paid holidays (including birthday & diversity holidays)
• 10 vacation days + 10 sick days in the first year
• 100% employer-paid medical & dental premiums
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Medical & dependent care FSA plans
• Life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• Accident, critical illness & hospital gap plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – 24/7 confidential support
• Training and advancement opportunities
• Commuter program & mileage reimbursement
• Employee recognition, discounts, and wellness perks

• Be a key player in building consistency, structure, and excellence across programs.
• Work in a beautiful country environment with new facilities and innovative resources.

• Professional development, training, and advancement opportunities.
• Supportive, inclusive, and mission-aligned culture.

• Small-group model (max 4 youth per cottage) allows for meaningful, individualized care.

🏋️ Physical Demands: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

This position typically operates in a standard office environment. The noise level is generally quiet and remains within OSHA’s established safety levels at all times.

⚖️ Equal Employment Opportunity

Aspiranet is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of diversity. We believe a diverse workforce within a culture of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) increases creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork for the youth and families that we serve and the organization as a whole.  Aspiranet strives to provide our employees with a workplace that is welcoming, inclusive of differing world views, cultures, and lived experiences.

📝️ Ready to Apply?

Join us in building brighter futures.

Apply today through our career portal:

👉 Click here to apply: www.aspiranet.org/careers

✨ Pro Tip: Once you’re in the portal, be sure to create an account to get started on your application! It’s quick, easy, and the first step to making a difference.